Korean Air's first flight takes off from Intercontinental

Korean Air has its first nonstop flight between Houston and the Seoul area

Updated 11:00 pm, Friday, May 2, 2014

Photo: Eric Kayne, ElcinorhC Eht RoF

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The inaugural Korean Air direct flight to and from Seoul, South Korea, taxis to the gate, May 2, 2014 in Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Korean Air held a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle) less

The inaugural Korean Air direct flight to and from Seoul, South Korea, taxis to the gate, May 2, 2014 in Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Korean Air held a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, ElcinorhC Eht RoF

Image 2 of 18

The inaugural Korean Air direct flight to and from Seoul, South Korea, taxis under an arc of water from fire engines, May 2, 2014 in Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Korean Air held a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle) less

The inaugural Korean Air direct flight to and from Seoul, South Korea, taxis under an arc of water from fire engines, May 2, 2014 in Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Korean Air held a ceremony ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, ElcinorhC Eht RoF

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The first passenger boards a Korean Air flight following a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle) less

The first passenger boards a Korean Air flight following a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, ElcinorhC Eht RoF

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Mario Diaz, aviation director for the city of Houston, left, and Mr. Kyoo Won Kang, Senior Vice President of Korean Air, cut a ceremonial cake to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle) less

Mario Diaz, aviation director for the city of Houston, left, and Mr. Kyoo Won Kang, Senior Vice President of Korean Air, cut a ceremonial cake to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, ElcinorhC Eht RoF

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A ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

A ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

Photo: Eric Kayne, ElcinorhC Eht RoF

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Mr. Kyoo Won Kang, Senior Vice President of Korean Air bows to the audience during a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental, May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle) less

Mr. Kyoo Won Kang, Senior Vice President of Korean Air bows to the audience during a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental, May 2, 2014 ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, ElcinorhC Eht RoF

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A Korean Air flight crew poses for a picture during a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental, May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle) less

A Korean Air flight crew poses for a picture during a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental, May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne, ElcinorhC Eht RoF

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A ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

A ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

Photo: Eric Kayne, ElcinorhC Eht RoF

Image 9 of 18

The inaugural Korean Air direct flight to and from Seoul, South Korea, taxis to the gate, May 2, 2014 in Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Korean Air held a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle) less

The inaugural Korean Air direct flight to and from Seoul, South Korea, taxis to the gate, May 2, 2014 in Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Korean Air held a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne

Image 10 of 18

The first passenger boards a Korean Air flight following a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle) less

The first passenger boards a Korean Air flight following a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne

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A Korean Air flight crew poses for a picture during a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental, May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle) less

A Korean Air flight crew poses for a picture during a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental, May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne

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Mr. Kyoo Won Kang, Senior Vice President of Korean Air bows to the audience during a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental, May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle) less

Mr. Kyoo Won Kang, Senior Vice President of Korean Air bows to the audience during a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental, May 2, 2014 ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne

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Korean Air started flying between IAH and Incheon International Airport in May. The airport system's Mario Diaz says Houston is poised to attract more international carriers.

Korean Air started flying between IAH and Incheon International Airport in May. The airport system's Mario Diaz says Houston is poised to attract more international carriers.

Photo: Eric Kayne

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Mario Diaz, aviation director for the city of Houston, left, and Mr. Kyoo Won Kang, Senior Vice President of Korean Air, cut a ceremonial cake to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle) less

Mario Diaz, aviation director for the city of Houston, left, and Mr. Kyoo Won Kang, Senior Vice President of Korean Air, cut a ceremonial cake to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne

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A ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

A ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

Photo: Eric Kayne

Image 16 of 18

A ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

A ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

Photo: Eric Kayne

Image 17 of 18

A ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

A ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate the inaugural daily flight between Houston and Seoul, South Korea at Bush Intercontinental., May 2, 2014 in Houston.
(Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

Photo: Eric Kayne

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Korean Air's first flight takes off from Intercontinental

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Korean Air's first nonstop flight between Houston and the Seoul area took off Friday morning.

The nonstop daily flight left from Bush Intercontinental Airport for Incheon International Airport after dropping off its initial load of passengers from Incheon. The incoming flight, airlines offices noted, was quickly booked solid after the service was announced earlier this year, with travelers coming to Houston for the Offshore Technology Conference, which starts Monday.

"Korean Air is excited about serving Houston and the Gulf Coast," said John Jackson, Korean Air vice president for the Americas, in a statement. "There are enormous opportunities here, and we are proud and honored to be a part of the dynamic Houston business community."

City and airport officials have touted the flight as another way to enhance the connection between Houston and Asia.

"Houston shares a deep connection with the Asian region of the world, a fact that benefits our city both economically as well as culturally," Mayor Annise Parker said in a statement. "This new service from Korean Air will allow that connection to grow even stronger."

Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz said he was confident the airline would succeed in Houston, in part because of Houston's booming Asian population over the last decade.

In that time, the Asian demographic has increased by 70 percent, a growth rate that outpaced other major cities, including New York City, Los Angeles and Seattle.

"The partnership being established between Korean Air and air passengers in Houston will undoubtedly prove to be mutually beneficial," Diaz said.

Before the first flight even took off, Korean Air - based demand for reservations - upped the service to a daily flight between the two cities, as opposed to its original plan of four flights a week.

Since last year, Turkish Airlines and Air China also began offering daily nonstop flights to Istanbul and Beijing respectively.